Love is most important and superior to all other gifts. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 speaks of this very thing to the church of Corinth. The Corinthians had valued themselves so highly in speaking in tongues and the use of other gifts, that it was causing a tremendous problem within the church. In his discussion, Paul highlights how love is more important than any other spiritual gift.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (AMP): “ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not ]love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. (AMP)
Understand clearly that spiritual gifts alone do not determine our worth. For without love, the spiritual gifts hold no value. Paul wanted all believers to truly know how important each individual person is in being part of the body and how extremely powerful it is when we meet together.
Love is…
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – 4 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. (AMP)
This needed to be said to the believers back then in Corinth, and this scripture must be brought to the forefront again as a reminder to believers of Christ today. In 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, it’s mentioned how we together are of Christ’s body and how we each serve a part in it. Yes, we must earnestly desire these spiritual gifts, but the way of life within these spiritual gifts is love.
Romans 5:6-8-6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Oh how God wants you to know His love! He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for us. I pray that God’s love will overtake you in this season! May we dwell together in unity and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 be sealed upon our heart.
